Heating and cooling system

ABSTRACT

The heating and cooling system may be structurally incorporated into a building. The heating and cooling system may be incorporated into an exterior building portion having an interior side. At least one support member, having a fastening portion and a channel, is mounted proximate to the interior side of the exterior building portion. At least one radiant heat tube is disposed in each channel and mounted proximate to the interior side of the exterior building portion by each support member. A heat-carrying medium is transmitted through the radiant heat tube. A radiant heat reflective surface is mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/551,439, filed Mar. 9, 2004, and entitled “Heating and Cooling System”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heating and cooling systems, and in particular, to heating and cooling systems that utilize solar energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Environmental concerns and the depletion of non-renewable energy resources, particularly fossil fuels, have created an on-going need for viable alternative energy sources. Solar energy has long been considered an ideal alternative energy source. Using radiation from the sun to generate heat or other forms of energy is not harmful to the environment and provides a seemingly unlimited supply of energy. Further, any individual or business may use solar energy by installing solar panels on residential and non-residential buildings. The energy is available independent from any utility service provider. Various types of solar collector panels have been designed to maximize the efficient conversion of solar radiation for heating and other forms of energy.

Despite these advantages, however, the use of existing solar energy systems has been limited. Solar collection panels, typically used to collect and provide solar energy, are expensive and are often difficult to install. Further, incorporating solar energy into a building using current technology often requires significant structural changes to the building. As a result of the expense and complexity of design related to installation of solar collection panels, many individuals have opted to continue using conventional energy sources rather than solar energy.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing heating and cooling via use of solar power.

Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The heating and cooling system may be structurally incorporated into a building. The heating and cooling system is incorporated into an exterior building portion having an interior side. At least one support member, having a fastening portion and a channel, is mounted proximate to the interior side of the exterior building portion. At least one radiant heat tube is supported by the support member and is mounted proximate to the exterior building portion on the interior side of the exterior building portion by each support member. A heat-carrying medium is circulated through the radiant heat tube. A radiant heat reflective surface is mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube.

The present invention also includes a method for providing a heating and cooling system utilizing solar power. The method includes: mounting at least one radiant heat tube proximate to an interior side of an exterior building portion; mounting a radiant heat reflective surface proximate to the radiant heat tube; and transmitting a heat-carrying medium through the radiant heat tube.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a heating and cooling system, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the heating and cooling system of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support member that may be used in conjunction with the heating and cooling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the heating and cooling system, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the heating and cooling system of FIG. 4, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support member that may be used in conjunction with the heating and cooling system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the heating and cooling system, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality and operation of a possible implementation of the heating and cooling system of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating an effect of one implementation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a heating and cooling system 10, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heating and cooling system 10 is incorporated into an exterior building portion 12 having an interior side 14. At least one support member 16, having a fastening portion 18 and a channel 20, is mounted against the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. At least one radiant heat tube 22 is disposed in each channel 20 and is mounted against the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12 by each support member 16. A heat-carrying medium 24 is transmitted through the radiant heat tube 22. A radiant heat reflective surface 26 is mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube 22.

The exterior building portion 12, as shown in FIG. 1, is a roof, although building walls are also contemplated by the present invention and exterior walls can similarly draw solar energy. Further, the exterior building portion 12 may include many other types of structures, such as awnings, carports, or any other structures with a surface area having exposure to solar radiation. In cases where the exterior building portion 12 is at least part of a non-enclosed structure, the interior side of the exterior building portion 12 is understood to be the side of the exterior building portion 12 not facing the solar radiation source. As a roof, the material for the exterior building portion 12 may include shingles, metal roofing, or other types of roofing materials known to those having ordinary skill in the art, which at least partially permits transmission of solar radiation. The material for the exterior building portion 12 may be made of glass, although many opaque materials for the exterior building portion 12 that limit the passage of visible solar radiation will at least partially permit transmission of non-visible solar radiation. The material for the exterior building portion 12 may also be thermally conductive, such that it transmits heat to the support member 16 and radiant heat tube 22 mounted against the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. The material for the exterior building portion 12 may also be radiation-absorbent, such that it heats as it absorbs solar radiation, heating the support member 16 and radiant heat tube 22 mounted to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12.

The exterior building portion 12 may include one or more panels 13. The panels 13 may be made of steel or another type of rigid, heat conducting material. Each panel 13 may include a radiation-absorbing surface exposed to the outside environment for absorbing solar radiation from the sun, thereby heating the panels 13. The radiation-absorbing surface may have a dark color with a high solar absorbtivity. The interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12 may be the interior side of the panels 13, allowing the support members 16 and, possibly, the radiant heat tube 22 to be heated through contact with the panels 13.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the heating and cooling system 10 of FIG. 1, with the exterior building portion 12 removed, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support member 16 that may be used in conjunction with the heating and cooling system 10 of FIG. 1. The support members 16 shown in FIG. 1 may be provided in many different arrangements. The support members 16 are designed to hold the radiant heat tube 22 close to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. Solar generated heat will be most apparent, in this design, in an area nearest the exterior building portion 12 and the design allows the radiant heat tube 22 to be heated in that area. The support members 16 (or purlins) may be made of steel or another substantially rigid, heat conducting material. The support members 16, or purlins, may be made using metal forming methods known in the art including press breaking which involves machining flat stock or roll forming or stamping. If conductive, the support members 16 may receive heat through the exterior building portion 12 and transmit that heat by contact with the radiant heat tube 22. The support member 16, using the fastening portion 18, may, in one alternative, be fastened to another object proximate to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12 that would allow the support member 16 to hold the radiant heat tube 22 close to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. For instance, the support member 16 may be fastened to rafters within an attic space. Alternatively, using a design such as that shown in FIG. 3, the support members 16 may be attached directly to the exterior building portion 12 or an intermediate layer directly attached to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support members 16 may be spaced intermittently along the radiant heat tube 22. Spacing the support members 16 allows a substantial portion of a surface of the radiant heat tube 22 to be exposed to air between the radiant heat reflective surface 26 and the exterior building portion 12. The support members 16 may, for instance, be one inch to three inches wide and spaced twelve inches on center. This arrangement may be more effective in combination with a rigid radiant heat tube 22. A rigid radiant heat tube 22 will have the structural strength to support itself between support members 16, whereas a flexible radiant heat tube 22 may sag between spaced support members 16. As further discussed herein, allowing a flexible radiant heat tube 22 to sag may inhibit the heating and cooling system 10. The pattern used for applying the radiant heat tube 22 against the exterior building portion 12 in FIG. 2 is one of many possible patterns contemplated by the present invention. As explained in further detail herein, the ambient temperature of the air about the radiant heat tube 22 and other components of the heating and cooling system 10 will contribute to heating of the heat-carrying medium 24 within the radiant heat tube 22.

The support member 16 includes the channel 20. The channel 20, as shown in FIG. 3, may be a substantially curvilinear surface having an opening at a top thereof. The opening may be narrow enough to allow the radiant heat tube 22 to snap fit within the channel 20. Also, the channel 20 may hold the radiant heat tube 22 in combination with the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. The support member 16 may, for instance, be made of metal or another rigid, thermally conductive material, in which case, the channel 20 may be shaped to conform to a shape of the radiant heat tube 22. By shaping the channel 20 to conform to the radiant heat tube 22, the support member 16, when heated, will have a sufficient contact surface through which to confer heat to the radiant heat tube 22.

The radiant heat tube 22 may be made of one or more of a variety of materials. The radiant heat tube 22 may be a flexible, tube, such as a type commercially available from REHAU, Inc., of Leesburg, Va., although many other manufacturers provide tubing having characteristics desired for the radiant heat tube 22. The radiant heat tube 22 may be a rigid tube, such as copper tubing. The radiant heat tube 22 may be sufficiently impermeable to contain the heat-carrying medium 24, while permitting heat transfer from outside the radiant heat tube 22 to within the radiant heat tube 22. The radiant heat tube 22 may also be sufficiently durable to withstand prolonged contact to a heated exterior building portion 12 and a heated support member 16 with minimal damage. The radiant heat tube 22 may be made of a flexible, plastic material, the flexibility of which provides for more convenient installation. In a single application, multiple radiant heat tubes 22 may be joined end to end to create one or more paths of transmission for the heat-carrying medium 24. The radiant heat tubes 22 may be joined by fittings to minimize leakage of the heat-carrying medium 24. Also, one or more heat-insulative tubes may be used to transmit the heat-carrying medium 24 from the radiant heat tubes 22 proximate to the exterior building portion 12 to other locations in, or about, the building. Using heat insulative tubes will limit heat loss prior to the heat-carrying medium 24 reaching an intended destination.

The heat-carrying medium 24 may be one of a variety of fluid materials. The heat-carrying medium 24 may, for instance, be water, air, or other liquids or gases. The heat-carrying medium 24 may be used to heat other areas of the building or surrounding areas, such as swimming pools, by circulating the heat-carrying medium 24 to those other areas. Once circulated, the heat-carrying medium 24 may radiate at least a portion of the heat collected at the exterior building portion 12. The heat-carrying medium 24 may similarly be circulated to a water heater to at least contribute to the heating of the water within the water heater. The heat-carrying medium 24 may similarly be circulated to other locations for heating other objects or spaces. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize the steps needed to use the heat-carrying medium 24 to heat specific locations and objects. Once the heat-carrying medium 24 is circulated away from the exterior building portion 12, the heat-carrying medium 24 may be utilized in one or more ways known to those having ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the scope of the present invention. As the heat-carrying medium 24 is circulated to other locations, that circulation is transporting heat away from the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12, cooling this area. Therefore, circulation of the heat-carrying medium 24 may also be undertaken to effectuate a cooling of the space proximate the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12.

Two tests were performed studying the heating and cooling system 10 described herein. In both tests, two model attic spaces were compared: a first attic space was provided with the heating and cooling system 10 present, including the radiant heat reflective surface 26; and a second attic space without the heating and cooling system 10 present. In both tests, both attic spaces had similar exterior building portion 12 materials, were in similar environments, and were exposed to similar heat radiation. In the first test, the heat-carrying medium 24 was kept relatively immobile in the first attic space, yet the first attic space, below the radiant heat reflective surface 26, was 17 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the second attic space, which demonstrates a radiant heat reflective surface 26 reflects significant radiant heat. In the second test, the heat-carrying medium 24 was circulated out of the first attic space. The first attic space, below the radiant heat reflective surface 26, was 35 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the second attic space, which demonstrates that circulating the heat-carrying medium 24 is capable of noticeably cooling the space proximate to the exterior building portion 12.

The heating and cooling system 10 may be utilized to make photovoltaic systems more efficient. Photovoltaic laminates, tiles, and other photovoltaic pieces may be installed on an exterior of the exterior building portion 12, as is known to those having ordinary skill in the art. These photovoltaic pieces sometimes have a higher electrical current resistance at higher temperatures. If the temperatures of these photovoltaic pieces can be lowered during operation, they will operate more efficiently. As previously outlined, circulation of the heat-carrying medium 24 from the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12 may effectuate a cooling of the exterior building portion 12 and areas proximate thereto. Photovoltaic pieces mounted to the exterior building portion 12 having the heating and cooling system 10 may operate more efficiently as a result of the circulation of the heat-carrying medium 24.

The heating and cooling system 10 may also be used in a manner inverse to the heating concept, to cool the heat-carrying medium 24. In the evening, when the sun is not shining on the exterior building portion 12, the exterior building portion 12 may be cooled by an exterior temperature. If the heat-carrying medium 24 is warm, either through usage during the day or as the result of systems internal to the building (such as manufacturing systems), the warmed heat-carrying medium 24 may be circulated to the radiant heat tube 22 proximate to the exterior building portion 12. Here the radiant heat tube 22 will radiate heat from the heat-carrying medium 24. The heat, traveling as infrared electromagnetic radiation (heat radiation), may radiate directly through the exterior building portion 12 and may also radiate toward an interior of the building. When the heat radiates toward the interior of the building, the radiant heat reflective surface 26 may reflect the infrared electromagnetic radiation back toward the exterior building portion 12, allowing a substantial portion of the heat to be released through the exterior building portion.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of a heating and cooling system 110, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heating and cooling system 110 is incorporated into an exterior building portion 112 having an interior side 114. At least one support member 116, having a fastening portion 118 and a channel 120, is mounted against the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112 at the fastening portion 118. More specifically, in this embodiment, the support member 116 is fastened to a substructure 117, wherein fastening legs 118A of the fastening portion 118 are pressed against the exterior building portion 112 while fastening feet 118B of the fastening portion 118 are fastened to the substructure 117. In this embodiment, at least one radiant heat tube 122 is disposed in each channel 120 and is mounted against the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112 by each support member 116. A heat-carrying medium 124 is transmitted through the radiant heat tube 122. A radiant heat reflective surface 126 is mounted on the substructure 117, proximate to the radiant heat tube 122.

The radiant heat reflective surface 126 may be positioned to reflect solar radiation 128 back toward the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112, the support members 116, and/or the radiant heat tube 122. By reflecting the solar radiation 128, the radiant heat reflective surface 126 causes the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112, the support members 116, and/or the radiant heat tube 122 to be heated additionally by a second pass of solar radiation 128. The presence and position of the radiant heat reflective surface 126 therefore allows the other elements of the heating and cooling system 110 and, ultimately, the heat-carrying medium 124 to be heated more efficiently.

The radiant heat reflective surface 126 may be one of many different materials. The radiant heat reflective surface 126 may, as one possible example, be one of the reflective materials produced and sold by Reflectix, Inc., of Markleville, Ind. The radiant heat reflective surface 126 may, for instance, be aluminum foil or a radiant film applied to a more durable surface, such as the substructure 117. The radiant heat reflective surface 126 at least partially reflects heat radiation. The substructure 117 may, for instance, be one or more plywood boards mounted proximate to the exterior building portion 112. Other, similar heat reflective surfaces known to those having ordinary skill in the art are similarly contemplated by the invention.

The radiant heat reflective surface 126 may be mounted such that an air gap 130 exists between the radiant reflective surface 126 and the radiant heat tube 122. In some cases, contact between the radiant heat reflective surface 126 and the radiant heat tube 122, for instance, as a result of sagging by the radiant heat tube 122, may result in the limiting or inhibition of the ability of the radiant heat reflective surface 126 to reflect solar radiation 128. To avoid contact between the radiant heat tube 122 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126, either rigid radiant heat tubes 122 or elongated support members 116 (such as purlins) may be used. Avoiding contact between the radiant heat tube 122 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126 will help ensure the existence of the air gap 130. The air gap 130 provides additional space for the reflection of solar radiation 128 toward the radiant heat tube 122 that may not be available if the radiant heat tube 122 is in contact with the radiant heat reflective surface 126. The air gap 130 may be, for instance, one inch, although other dimensions for the air gap 130 are contemplated by the present invention. The support members 116 may be fastened to the radiant reflective surface 126 in lieu of, or in addition to, being mounted to the exterior building portion 112. Also, insulation 132 may be provided behind the radiant heat reflective surface 126. The insulation 132 traps the warmed air between the exterior building portion 112 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126, further warming the radiant heat tube 122 and the heat-carrying medium 124. Also, variations in temperature within the space between the radiant heat reflective surface 126 and the exterior building portion 112 may encourage a circulatory motion of the warmed air, heating the heat-carrying medium 124 in a convective process.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the heating and cooling system 110 of FIG. 4 with the exterior building portion 112 removed, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the support members 116 may be run continuously along at least a portion of the radiant heat tube 122. A flexible radiant heat tube 122 may sag between support members 116 if the support members 116 are spaced. One or more support members 116 that support a length of flexible radiant heat tube 122, with little or no spacing between support members 116, inhibit sagging of the radiant heat tube 122. This support member 116 arrangement also provides significant contact area between the support members 116 and the radiant heat tube 122, allowing heated support members 116 to effectively provide heat to the heat-carrying medium 124. One of the reasons to inhibit a flexible radiant heat tube 122 from sagging is that contact between the flexible radiant heat tube 122 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126 may limit or inhibit the ability of the radiant heat reflective surface 126 to reflect solar radiation 128. The pattern used for applying the radiant heat tube 122 against the exterior building portion 112 in FIG. 5 is one of many possible patterns contemplated by the inventor. Other patterns that may be devised by those having ordinary skill in the art are similarly considered to be within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support member that may be used in conjunction with the heating and cooling system 110 of FIG. 4. The support member 116 includes the fastening portion 118 and the channel 120. The channel 120 in FIG. 6 is similar to the channel 20 in FIG. 3, but the fastening portion 118 is different. The fastening portion 18 of FIG. 3 lends itself to fastening the support member 16 directly to the exterior building portion 12, while the fastening portion 118 of FIG. 6 is extended, lending itself to fastening the support member 116 to the substructure 117. The fastening portion 118 of the support member 116 includes fastening legs 118A and fastening feet 118B. The fastening feet 118B may be fastened to a substructure, such as rafters or a support panel mounted proximate to the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112 for the dedicated purpose of supporting the support members 116. If supported by the fastening feet 118B, the support member 116 may be mounted such that the fastening legs 118A are mounted substantially against the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112, allowing the exterior building portion 112 to confer heat to the fastening legs 118A by contact. Alternatively, the interior side 114 of the exterior building portion 112 may not be in contact with the support member 116, which will limit, in part, conduction of heat from the exterior building portion 112 to the support member 116.

A vent (not shown) may be provided that allows air to circulate from between the exterior building portion 112 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126 to other areas of the building. The vent would allow for heating of other areas of the building using the air that has been heated through solar radiation 128 and further heated as a result of the heat reflective surface 126 and stored as a result of the insulation 132. The vent may further be provided with a fan to circulate air to parts of the building that are below and/or above the area between the exterior building portion 112 and the radiant heat reflective surface 126 (without the fan, the warmed air may at least be able to rise to parts of the building above this area). Other devices known to those having ordinary skill in the art, such as, but not limited to, thermostats and controlled vent openings, may be used to further augment this system without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the heating and cooling system 210, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heating and cooling system 210 is incorporated into an exterior building portion 212 having an interior side 214. At least one support member 216, having a fastening portion and a channel, is mounted against the interior side 214 of the exterior building portion 212 at the fastening portion. At least one radiant heat tube 222 is disposed in each channel and is mounted against the interior side 214 of the exterior building portion 212 by each support member 216. A heat-carrying medium 224 is transmitted through the radiant heat tube 222. A radiant heat reflective surface 226 is mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube 222. In this third exemplary embodiment, the radiant heat tube 222 is shown completing one full path within a building, although other path structures are contemplated by the invention. Integral with the path of the radiant heat tube 222 is a pump 234, wherein the pump 234 may circulate the heat-carrying medium 224 through the radiant heat tube 222.

The flow chart of FIG. 8 illustrates the functionality and operation of a possible implementation of the heating and cooling system 10 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or step, which comprises one or more instructions for implementing the specified function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks might occur out of the order noted in FIG. 8. For example, two blocks shown in succession in FIG. 8 may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified herein.

As shown in FIG. 8, a method 300 of installing and operating the heating and cooling system 10 in a building includes mounting at least one radiant heat tube 22 against an interior side 14 of an exterior building portion 12 (block 302). A radiant heat reflective surface 26 is mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube 22 (block 304). Solar radiation permeates the exterior building portion 12 and heats a heat-carrying medium 24 within the radiant heat tube 22 (block 306). The heat-carrying medium 24 is transmitted through the radiant heat tube 22 (block 308).

Mounting at least one radiant heat tube 22 against the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12 (block 302) may also include disposing at least one radiant heat tube 22 within a channel 20 of at least one support member 16 and mounting at least one support member 16 to the interior side 14 of the exterior building portion 12. Installation of the heating and cooling system 10 may also include mounting insulation behind the radiant heat reflective surface 26, trapping warm air close to the radiant heat tube 22.

The process of heating the heat-carrying medium 24 is effective, in part, because the heat-carrying medium 24, and the surrounding components of the heating and cooling system 10, are heated by at least two passes of solar radiation. The process of heating the heat-carrying medium 24 includes heating the heat-carrying medium 24 with solar-generated heat radiating through the exterior building portion 12 and heating the heat-carrying medium 24 with solar generated heat reflected from the radiant heat reflective surface 26. The process of heating the heat-carrying medium 24 is also effective because the support members 16 may be heated by solar radiation as well as heat conducted from the solar-heated exterior building portion 12 and the heated support members 16 may conduct heat through the channel 20 to the radiant heat tube 22 and, ultimately, the heat-carrying medium 24.

Installation of the heating and cooling system 10 may be completed during new construction or retrofitted within existing buildings. Exemplary pre-existing roofing structures include bare rafters, rafters covered in a sub-support material such as plywood or steel C-channels, or even on top of existing roof shingles.

In one embodiment, a pre-fabricated system may be made and installed in one piece onto a pre-existing roof structure. The support members 16 (or purlins) may be fastened to a plurality of sub-support members such as steel C-channels at a generally 90-degree angle to form a grid structure. The radiant heat tube 22 is pressed into the channels 20 that are defined by the support members 16. The entire grid structure formed by the support members 16 and sub-support members is then raised up against the existing roofing panels 13. The sub-support members may be secured to carrying rafters or other existing building structure.

In one example, a heating and cooling system 10 was placed on a roof structure and connected to a hot tub. Water was used as the heat-carrying medium 24 and the exterior building portion 12 was exposed to the sun for 8 hours during clear weather conditions. The temperature readings for the ambient air, the exterior building portion 12, and the water were recorded as shown in the graph of FIG. 9. In the graph of FIG. 9, the x-axis represents time of day and the y-axis represents temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Ambient temperature at the time of the test ranged from about 50° F. to about 75° F. Measurements of temperatures on a sun exposed surface of an exterior building portion 12 ranged from about 50° F. to about 125° F. Water in the hot tub that was heated by the system ranged from about 85° F. to about 135° F. The temperatures increased over the course of the experiment. Notably, the increase in temperature of the exterior building portion 12 and the water were substantially greater than the increase in the ambient temperature.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims. 

1. A heating and cooling system capable of being structurally incorporated into a building, said heating and cooling system comprising: an exterior building portion having an interior side; at least one radiant heat tube mounted proximate to the exterior building portion on the interior side of the exterior building portion; a heat-carrying medium transmittable through the radiant heat tube; and a radiant heat reflective surface mounted proximate to the radiant heat tube.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising insulation proximate to the radiant heat reflective surface.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one support member, each support member comprising a fastening portion and a channel, the support member mounted proximate to the exterior building portion and the channel supporting the radiant heat tube.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member and the radiant heat tube are mounted against the interior side of the exterior building portion.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising photovoltaic pieces mounted to the exterior building portion.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the exterior building portion further comprises a solar radiation-absorbing surface.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump in communication with the radiant heat tube thereby circulating the heat-carrying medium.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastening portion of the support member is fastened to a substructure, wherein the substructure is positioned to mount the support member against the interior side of the exterior building portion.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vent positioned to allow circulation of air from between the exterior building portion and the radiant heat reflective surface to other spaces within the building.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the exterior building portion comprises at least a portion of a roof.
 11. A method of installing and operating a heating and cooling system in a building, said method comprising the steps of: mounting at least one radiant heat tube against an interior side of an exterior building portion; mounting a radiant heat reflective surface proximate to the radiant heat tube; and transmitting a heat-carrying medium through the radiant heat tube.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of mounting at least one radiant heat tube against the interior side of the exterior building portion further comprises disposing the at least one radiant heat tube within a channel of at least one support member and mounting the at least one support member against the interior side of the exterior building portion, the support member fastened to a substructure.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising installing insulation proximate to the radiant heat reflective surface.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transmitting a heat-carrying medium through the radiant heat tube further comprises pumping a heat-carrying medium through the radiant heat tube using a pump.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: heating the heat-carrying medium with solar generated heat radiating through the exterior building portion; and heating the heat-carrying medium with solar generated heat reflected from the radiant heat reflective surface.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising heating the heat-carrying medium with solar generated heat transmitted through the exterior building portion to the at least one support member in contact with the heat-carrying medium.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of circulating the heat-carrying medium to a separate portion of the building, thereby heating air or water in the separate portion of the building.
 18. A system for utilizing solar energy to provide a heat source within or proximate to a building, the system comprising: a means for collecting heat at an interior side of an exterior building portion; a means for intensifying heat at the interior side of the exterior building portion; a means for transporting collected heat from a collection area; and a means for utilizing the collected heat at least proximate to the building.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a means for cooling the exterior building portion.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising a means for restricting solar energy from radiating significantly past the interior side of the exterior building portion.
 21. The method of claim 18 further comprising a means for releasing collected heat through the exterior building portion. 